Apple is ramping up its game in India by producing the iPhone 17 series across five local factories, with the new models hitting stores on September 19. Experts predict this move will help the tech giant smash sales records during the upcoming festive season, boosting its iPhone manufacturing in India.
While Apple plans to make fewer Pro models here, the focus remains on expanding production. Foxconn kicked off iPhone 17 assembly at its massive $2.8 billion plant in Devanahalli near Bengaluru. This facility, now Foxconn’s second-biggest iPhone factory outside China, joins the existing one in Chennai to power up Apple’s supply chain.
Industry watchers see this as a huge win for Apple’s strategy to diversify away from China. Even with global challenges like inflation and tariffs hitting supply chains, Apple keeps US dollar prices steady, thanks to its growing iPhone production in India that cuts down on geopolitical risks.
Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, shared his excitement with . “Apple’s iPhone portfolio is the widest yet, and it’s primed to grab a big chunk of the festive market in India,” he said. He pointed out that 60-65% of iPhones here sell via EMIs, which should make the iPhone 17 series a hit. “The iPhone 17 Air looks amazing with its slim design and Pro-level performance powered by top-notch silicon. And the camera on the iPhone 17 Pro series? It’s the best yet,” Pathak added.
Pricing starts strong: The iPhone 17 (256 GB) at Rs 82,900, iPhone 17 Air (256 GB) from Rs 1,19,900, iPhone 17 Pro (256 GB) at Rs 1,34,900, and iPhone 17 Pro Max (256 GB) from Rs 1,49,900. The iPhone 17 Air stands out with its sleek titanium build that’s light, strong, and elegant. It boasts a Ceramic Shield back and an upgraded Ceramic Shield 2 front for three times better scratch resistance, making it tougher than any past iPhone. Plus, enjoy a vibrant 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion tech up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling.
Prabhu Ram, VP at CMR’s Industry Research Group, agrees the iPhone 17 series is set for a festive boom. “The fresh design on the iPhone 17 Air will tempt fans to upgrade from older models,” he told . The Pro lineup draws inspiration from the Apple Watch Ultra, packs the biggest iPhone battery ever, and steps up cameras with an 8x telephoto lens and up to 40x digital zoom. Better drop and scratch protection meets the demand for devices that last longer.
With past iPhone generations shining in festive sales and a huge pool of users ready to upgrade in India’s under-penetrated market, Apple has real growth potential—if it turns buzz into buys, Ram noted.
Apple’s push in India is already paying dividends. From April to July this year, the country exported iPhones worth $7.5 billion, topping the full $17 billion from the previous fiscal year. CEO Tim Cook recently highlighted India’s key spot in the company’s global supply chain.
